Household Specialists

CareLink Community Support Services; Downingtown (Chester County); On-site; USD 34,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

CareLink Community Support Services is seeking a Household Specialist to coordinate menus and meals for a residential program supporting adults with mental health challenges. You will plan menus, shop for supplies, prepare meals, and teach housekeeping, nutrition, and cooking skills.

You will document activities, manage emergencies, supervise residents’ daily living, and ensure kitchen cleanliness and safety.

Qualifications

• Required Education: High School Diploma or GED.
• Work Experience: 2 to 3 years.
• Licenses Required: Valid Driver's License.

Responsibilities

• Prepares meals under supervision and plans house menus.
• Plans and posts menus and nutritional information.
• Maintains kitchen cleanliness and proper storage of food.
• Assists with special diets and budgeting for supplies.
• Documents activities and performs required paperwork.

Skills

Menu planning

Sanitation & hygiene

Nutrition knowledge

Communication skills

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Ability to take direction

Multitasking

Driving (valid license)

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Summary

As a Household Specialist you will coordinate food and menus for a residential program supporting adults with mental health challenges. Responsibilities include planning and writing menus, shopping for supplies, preparing meals, maintaining kitchen cleanliness, teaching housekeeping, nutrition, and cooking skills, planning site events, documenting activities, providing transportation, and managing emergencies during each shift.

Essential Functions

• Prepares all meals under the direction of the Program Manager and Assistant Program Supervisor.
• Plans and writes house menus and ensures that they are followed.
• Posts menus and nutritional information on bulletin boards located in the kitchen area, office area, and community area.
• Plans and controls special diets.
• Estimates food consumption in determining type and quantity of foods to be prepared.
• Shops for all food supplies on a weekly basis in a fiscally responsible manner.
• Maintains the cleanliness of the kitchen area.
• Maintains the cleanliness of refrigerators and freezers, and ensures that all food is properly covered and stored.
• Ensures that all kitchen equipment is in proper working condition.
• Assumes the responsibility for planning special functions with the Program Manager and Assistant Program Supervisor.
• Participates in the development on individual service plans related to housekeeping, nutrition, and cooking.
• Consistently assesses, teaches, evaluates, and supervises residents’s skills in the area of daily living, meal planning, and housekeeping.
• Meets with consumers to prepare individual apartment chore schedule.
• Performs daily progress notes, log book entries, and other related paperwork.
• Monitors kitchen, housekeeping, and linen supplies for residents and keeps supervisor informed of needs.
• Reviews emergency procedures with residents on a regular basis.
• Cleans all interior surfaces of common areas.
• Keeps all entrances clean and free of debris.
• Ensures that all trash is in exterior receptacles.
• Orders all cleaning supplies.
• Handles inventory and storage of all cleaning supplies.
• Responds appropriately to emergency situations.
• Performs shopping and errands as requested.
• Organizes closets and storage areas as needed.
• Transports consumers as necessary and appropriate.
• Performs other duties or special projects as required or as assigned.

Other Functions

• Attends and participates in regular supervision.
• Responds appropriately to emergency situations.
• Performs job within framework of agency, site, and professional standards.
• Participates in staff meetings and training programs.
• Attends and participates in agency events.
• Adheres to agency/site policies and procedures including HIPAA requirements.
• Cooperates and coordinates with Regional Director on all operational issues.
• Projects a positive attitude and image to staff, participants, family members, and outside contacts.
• Uses appropriate communication channels.
• Completes assignments independently and within specified time frames.
• Participates in achievement of agency objectives, goals, and mission.
• Displays motivation and interest in working creatively with people who have mental illness/disabilities.
• Demonstrates the ability to make sound judgements regarding the welfare of people served.
• Displays ability to take direction.
• Demonstrates knowledge of basic principles and methods of clinical psychology and psychiatric rehabilitation.
• Follows agency dress code.
• Adheres to supervisor's requests.
• Cooperates with other staff and exhibits positive attitude toward position and agency.
• Contributes to the growth and development of services.
• Shows initiative and demonstrates good judgement.
• Follows instructions accurately and thoroughly.
• Works as scheduled to assure coverage.
• Performs job in a safe manner.
• Reports/addresses safety concerns in a timely manner.

Qualifications

Required Education: High School Diploma or GED

Work Experience: 2 to 3 years

Licenses Required: Valid Driver's License

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of basic principles and methods of food preparation and food ordering.
• Knowledge of good sanitation and hygiene.
• Knowledge of menus and how to plan varied menus.
• Knowledge of good food portions and weights.
• Knowledge of nutrition and some knowledge of special diet planning.
• Numerical ability to estimate food requirements and portions.
• Ability to organize kitchen and storerooms.
• Motivation, interest, and ability to provide service for people who have mental illness.
• Ability to take direction.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks.
• Valid driver's license and willingness to drive agency vehicles.
• Knowledge of OSHA regulations preferred.
• Housekeeping experience preferred.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office products.
• Strong collaborating skills, and an ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced environment with frequent deadlines; high energy, self-motivated and proactive.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to multitask and be flexible with regard to workload and assignments.
• Ability to exercise judgement.

Physical and Environmental Job Requirements

• Sitting – required to sit for extended periods of time without leaving the work area.
• Standing – required to remain on feet in an upright position for continuous periods of time without leaving the work area.
• Walking – required to walk considerable distances in the facility during the course of work.
• Lifting – required to raise or lower objects from one level to another regularly (up to 10 pounds).
• Carrying – required to carry objects in arms or on the shoulder.
• Pushing – required to exert force up to 20 lbs. to move an object away.
• Pulling – required to exert force up to 20 lbs. to move an object towards employee.
• Climbing – required to climb and work in overhead areas.
• Balancing – required to move between objects or work in overhead areas.
• Stooping – required to bend forward by bending at the waist.
• Kneeling – required to move or support self on knees.
• Crouching – required to bend the legs or spine.
• Crawling – required to work in confined space and move about on hands and knees.
• Reaching – required to use hands and arms to reach for or place objects.
• Feeling – required to discriminate between varying textures.
• Grasping – required to pick up objects with fingers.
• Substantial Movements – required to perform substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• Eye, Hand, Foot Coordination – required to coordinate the eyes, hands, and feet with each other in response to visual stimuli.
• Motor Coordination Skills – required to coordinate eyes, hands, and fingers rapidly and accurately and handle precise movements.
• Color Determination – required to identify colors through vision.
• Near Acuity – required close, clear vision with or without correction.
• Depth Perception – required to distinguish depth.

NOTE

At the discretion of the Personnel Officer and COO, additional related experience and/or education may be substituted in lieu of the requirements specified above under Education and Experience.